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Dooley has held the county's top office since 2003, when he succeeded George R. "Buzz" Westfall after Westfall died while in office.

"I love what I do, and I love my team," Dooley said Thursday afternoon. "County voters have given me a great opportunity that few people get in a lifetime, and I want to continue to work for them to make this a great community."

Dooley, 64, a Democrat, is seeking his third full term. He won a special election in 2004 to complete Westfall's term and won re-election in 2006 and 2010.

In the past, Dooley waited until the actual year of an election to announce that he would run again.

Regarding his announcement Thursday — 19 months before the election — Dooley said he "got a boost" from the passage in Tuesday's election of Proposition S, a $100 million bond issue to build and remodel the county's court buildings.

"I think we're on a bit of a roll, creating jobs and building infrastructure and keeping the county as the economic engine of the region and the state," he said.

Dooley also acknowledged Thursday the controversies that have rocked his administration in recent months, including bitter disputes with the Democratically controlled County Council over budget issues and Dooley's threat to close some county parks and lay off workers.

As recently as December, Dooley said he had not made up his mind about whether to seek another term.

But on Thursday, he said that, in his heart, he always intended to run again.

"I don't expect every day to be bonus day," he said. "Whatever I do, or will do, in this position, there will always be someone out there who won't like it."

Among those mentioned as possible rivals for Dooley's job have been his opponent in the last election, Republican Bill Corrigan, and current County Councilman Steve Stenger, D-Affton.

Corrigan declined Thursday to discuss any potential political plans. "My focus has been on my family and my law firm, Armstrong Teasdale," Corrigan said.

Stenger said Thursday that he is 'strongly considering" a run for county executive.

"But my focus now is to continue providing the best representation that I can for South County and ºüÀêÊÓƵ County by winning re-election to my council seat in November," he said.

Stenger questioned the timing of Dooley's announcement. "There are so many important federal, state and local races and issues on this November's ballot that it is premature for anyone to be announcing their candidacy for 2014," Stenger said.

Asked whether he had an inkling of who his rivals might be, Dooley replied: "I never worry about who is running against me. All that matters is, I'm running."